Sedona News – Women fought in the Revolutionary War disguised as men and spent years in many wars behind the battlefield as support and spies. But in 1918 Loretta Walsh enlisted in the Navy becoming the first officially sanctioned soldier. Fast forward to today and we see a diverse military with women not only in combat but serving as generals. Three local brave women vets will tell their stories at The Sedona Women’s (“TSW”) November 9, 2022 program at the Creative Life Center.
TSW will welcome veteran Jennifer Brehler, a former Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Army serving during Desert Storm and under the NATO Operation Joint Endeavor in the Balkan Peninsula. She was the first woman to graduate from the U.S. Army Air Assault School in Germany. Jennifer currently leads the Humane Society of Sedona after her role as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the San Diego Humane Society where she was responsible for more than 50,000 animals annually.
Speaker Michele Zahner served 23 years in US Army’s Intelligence Branch. After retiring, Michele joined the Human Support and Inspector General Office of Defense Intelligence Agency. While in the US Army, Michele served in Germany, Middle East, and Africa and was the first female US Army attached to Mozambique during the 2000 Operation Atlas Response. She also served in the Gulf War (1990), Operation Enduring Freedom (2001) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003). She is married to a 3-star Army Lieutenant General. Michele now volunteers with many nonprofits in Sedona, including Sedona Heritage, Friends of the Forest, Sedona Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul and Green Bag.
Camilla Ross served her country in both the Navy and Army, knowing full well that the problems we continue to face are the same problems we have faced for hundreds of years. She served in the Naval Damage Control Training Center during the Gulf War (1990). Camilla is currently an award-winning producer and actor and President of the Emerson Theater Collaborative, as well as Executive Director of the Arts Academy of Sedona. From a producer’s and performer’s perspective, Camilla wants to change the world by telling the real story. She is married to a retired naval commander and is currently a member of SAVCO, a Sedona veterans’ nonprofit organization and an Elks Lodge member. Hear her tell her own story about her military experience at this program.
This powerful TSW program, “Local Female Veterans Tell Their Stories,” is open to the public on Wednesday, November 9th, at the Creative Life Center at 333 Schnebly Hill Road in Sedona. A meet and greet will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the program and Q & A at 10:00 a.m. To learn more about The Sedona Women or to become a member visit thesedonawomen.com or contact Sedonawomen669@gmail.com.
The Sedona Women are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on the community by providing opportunities for women to build relationships, to learn about the community, to support community needs and to enhance the natural beauty and distinctive character of Sedona. TSW is an apolitical 501 (c)(3) organization that respects the diversity of its members and the inclusivity of our community.